Ear-protector.



0. 0, KIRKPATRICK.

EAR PROTECTOR.

APPLIGATION FILED SEPT. 12,1908.

Patented Aug. 24, 1909.

ATT @FFTQE.

QEVILLE C. KIRKPATRICK, 0F QITY, ILLINOIS.

EAR-PROTECTOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed September 12, 1998. Serial No. $52,758.

and State of Illinois, have invented a new' and useful Ear-Protector, of which'the fol-,

lmving is specification.

My invention relates to a new and useful device for the prevention and relief of deafness in persons whose business, occupation or pleasure requires them to be near to loud, shrlll, intense and violent noises, and for swimmers, divers and all persons whose ears;

are exposed towa'ter, insects, wind, dust, metal-filings or other foreign substances which is or might be injurious to the organs of hearin The ob ects of my invention are: first, to provide a device that will fit into, practically fill, and rest securely in position, in the cavity of the external ear (pinna or auricle) next to the head of the person using the device, without the aid of any support, force or attachment, other than is provided by the internal construction of the device itself. Second, to provide such materials for the construction, covering, binding or rim of such device as will form and present media of different elasticity and density than the air, and through which media the vibrations of sound, or sound waves, must pass in their course toward the middle ear and ear drum (membrana tympanum), and by this media produce a refraction of such sound waves and cause a diminution of the power, intensity, force and velocity with which such sound waves would strike the ear drum, if not obstructed, refracted, reflected or modified by the device. Third, to provide an outer covering for the device which will protect the materials required for its structure from moisture, conform to the shape of the device, respond to its elasticity, contribute to its durability and afford comfort to the wearer. Fourth, to provide for the passage of air from without the device to and from the middle ear. Fifth, and which will exclude from the middle ear and inner ear, water, insects, wind, dust, metal-filings or other foreign substances either or any of which is or might be injurious to the organs of hearing. I obtain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1, is a side view of the device as it rests in position in the ear. Fig. 2, is the Fig. d, is an enlarged vertical,

frame-work of the device in a vertical position, and is adapted to either the right or left ear: Fig.3, is the device complete, in a vertical position, showing the side of the device which is worn outward in the left ear; sectional view of'Fig."3,cut at line 0 O.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring specifically to the drawings, It indicates an outer rim orbinding preferably made of rubber and of proper shape and size to fitwithin the concha and the scaplioid fossa, and this rim is or may be distended by means of a spring 5, shown particularly in Fig. 2, and coiled to fit within the rim. This rim is provided on its rear edge with a series of projections j, forming notches or openings 2' through which the air or sound waves are admitted. One end of the spring terminates in a loop 0.

7c is an outer cover or facing of sheet rubher which incloses and protects the other parts of the device and makes the same water-proof, without afiecting its elasticity or durability. Next within this sheet is a layer of cotton 3, and next within that is a layer of felt m. The spring 6 is located adjacent the felt. On the inner side of the spring is a layer n of chamois skin, and 7c is a final inner layer or sheet of soft rubber. The covers 76 and 7c are secured at their edges to the rim h, and the intermediate parts are set within said rim between said covers. Each layer conforms in shape to the shape of the rim, and each furnishes a differentmedium to resist excessive sound vibrations or sound waves in their course toward the ear drum. The shape of the device, in connection with the flexibility of its parts, the elasticity of the spring I), and the natural support afiorded by the auricle, hold the device firmly in position in the ear.

An opening is made through the layers of the device, preferably somewhat above the ear orifice, and said opening is provided with an eyelet or tubular piece 0 which is threaded to receive a screw g, which may be either inserted or removed as desired. The eyelet and screw are preferably made of hard rubber, and the eyelet extends through the loop 0 at the upper end of the spring, which assists inholding the spring and other parts in position.

The position of the vents e and i is such that they not only provide ventilation for r tented us- 24.1, 199

the inner organs of the ear, but also admit modified sounds of signals or conversation; but as neither of said vents is directly in front of or opposite to the orifice leading to the middle car, being distinctly offset therefrom, all sound waves are refracted before entering the middle ear.

The device in its construction is not limited to the exact form or materials shown and:

2. An ear protector comprising a flexible rim shaped to fit within the cavity of the external ear, layers of sounddeadening material extending across said rim, and a spring fitting within said rim, to distend the same.

8. An ear protector comprising an elastic structure with a rim shaped to fit closely within the concha and having notches in its rear edge forming vents, and means to expand said structure to press the rim against the ear.

4. An ear protector comprising an elastic rim shaped to fit the cavity of the outer ear, inner and outer layers of soft rubber attached at their edges to said rim, and intermediate sheets of material between said covers and within the rim.

ORVILLE G. KIRKPATRICK. I

Witnesses:

M. TANDY, HARRY V. PRESCOTT. 

